A few things to consider with Kobe Bryantsigning a two-year, $48.5 million extension with the Lakers:

-- Start with the fact that he deserves the NBA's highest salary. He's the league's most decorated player and the very definition of a global icon. He'd be worth even more if the NBA didn't have a limit on players' salaries, and he did accept a bit less money to ease the Lakers' salary-cap crisis. The Lakers thrive on celebrity star power, and this signing has "Hollywood" written all over it.

-- Bryant has too much pride to take a really significant pay cut. His ego wouldn't allow it, and he's bent on making a dramatic comeback from a torn Achilles tendon. Call him out for arrogance if you will, but that same quality characterized Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russelland so many greats from every sport. It goes with the territory.

-- The Lakers railroaded this deal some eight months before it was really necessary, without seeing Bryant in an actual NBA game. Not all that smart.

-- Forget the notion that this "keeps him off the market." Kobe was never leaving the Lakers. Not when he threatened to go to the Clippers (total ruse) several years ago, not ever. He'll wind up playing 20 years with the same club, an astounding feat to illuminate his legacy.

-- If Bryant believes this triggers some sort of path to an NBA championship, he's kidding himself. The Lakers will be able to sign only one premium free agent next summer, and not a single reliable source believes it will be LeBron James. Who wants to join an over-the-hill Kobe and be a sideshow? Ask Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone, Gary Paytonor Dwight Howard; performing as a superstar alongside Kobe is no treat. Meanwhile, the Lakers will struggle to fill out their roster with low-salaried mediocrity, and that's no way to build a winner.

-- Potential free agent Pau Gasolwill have to take a massive pay cut to be part of this team. Maybe he'd do so for coach Phil Jackson, with whom he has an exceptionally strong relationship. Perhaps not for Mike D'Antoniand the aging Bryant. Just doesn't make sense. He should look to finish his career elsewhere, in pursuit of another ring.

-- Without Kobe, the Lakers have been remarkably entertaining with the likes of Jordan Farmar, Jordan Hill, Xavier Henryand Nick Young. A fleeting development, to be sure, but they won't be nearly as much fun when Bryant returns, dominates the offense and resumes his assault on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record.

-- How realistic is that? Marc Steinwrote on ESPN.com that for Kobe to score the necessary 6,770 points, he'd have to average 32 points a game while playing 60 games this season and 75 in each of the next two. In other words, no chance; he would need another deal after this one expires.

-- In a rare development, the Lakers have a first-round pick in the 2014 draft - but it won't mean much if they aren't in the lottery. A late-season "tank" job wouldn't exactly jibe with Kobe's fierce work ethic.

-- Interesting that Bryant had originally pinpointed late November for his return. After the contract was signed, he said it would more likely be "weeks." Reason: He needs to be at absolute peak level, whatever that may be, when he comes back. His reputation will be at stake.

-- He's bitterly upset over the wave of criticism, claiming people aren't seeing the entire picture, but please: It's not that complicated. Wrote Bill Simmons on Grantland.com: "He killed the Lakers with this contract. You can't tell me you're all about winning a sixth ring when you hog this much (nearly 40 percent) of the salary cap. It's now impossible for them to get him enough help to win the title."

Around the NBA

Amid rampant speculation about his returning to the Cavaliers next year, James arrived in Cleveland last week to witness a complete mess. If he were to come back, he'd probably insist on a new coach (replacing the perpetually overmatched Mike Brown), no Andrew Bynum(sadly immobile and admitting as much), a revitalized Anthony Bennett(the No. 1 overall draft pick has been a complete bust so far) and resolution of the Kyrie Irving-Dion Waiters feud. Waiters, a 6-4, 225-pound package of explosive scoring talent, could be traded before the season ends ... Sorry to see Jarrett Jackin the middle of all that discord ... The great ones just get better: James, playing through lower-back pain most of the season, is shooting a ridiculous 60 percent from the floor ... As usual, the NBA leads all major sports in clever advertising. There's a priceless gem with Steph Curry, Mike Breenand Mark Jackson, jokingly portrayed as having labeled Curry a marginal talent out of college ("maybe could play in Turkey.") Then there's a six-pack of superstars - Curry, James, Nash, Kevin Durant, James Hardenand Derrick Rose- firing long-range shots on baskets equipped with bells on the nets. If every shot goes in (there must be 30 in all), the bells ring out a Christmas carol. Sure enough, nobody misses. Could be digitally enhanced - but maybe not.